Thomas giddizvtgs



(No Model.)

T. GIDDINGS.

Q ARM AND FINGER GUIDE FOR PIANOS AND ORGANS}.

' Patented Jan. 1, 1884.

. NITED STATES PATENT Q THOMAS GIDDINGS, OF IVILLIAJISPORT, PE

TFIQEQ SYLYAXIA.

ARM AND FINGER GUIDE FDR PiANO$ AND QRGABS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,310, dated January 1, 185%.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS GIDDINGS, of \Villiamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Arm and Finger Guides for Pianos and Organs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and act description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The invention involved in the subject1nattor of this application relates to an improvement in arm and finger guides for pianofortcs and organs,whereby pupils of either instrument are enabled to obtain a correct position of the arms and proper curvature of the fingers, to thereby acquire aproper touch from the wrist and finger joints, and to compel the fingers to act upon the ends of the black keys as required by the rules governing piano and organ performances.

The object, further, of this improvement is to prevent the fingers of the performer from striking and thereby marring the polished surface of the frame-work in the rear of the key-board,

and, further, to permit of the opening and closing of the instrument and the execution of the most diifioult music without detaching either the arm or finger guide, which combined are intended to embrace the entire range of the key-board.

To the successful accomplishment of the objects above related, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the component parts of the device, whereby the same maybe adjusted to enable the arms and fingers of the performer together to comply with all the rules governing performances on a piano or organ, as more fully hereinafter described, and designated in the claims.

For the better understanding of the invention, and to illustrate to the profession its application to instruments of the class specified, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a view of the device properly attached to the front of a piano, and Fig. 2 a view of the same detached.

Likeletters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

A A represent two wood or metal brackets,

preferably of a right-angular form, and each longitudinally slotted at one end to embrace a screw-threaded bolt, (1, which is rigidly securedin the bottom of the piano. By the aid of a thumb-nutupon the end of this bolt 0, the said brackets may be firmly attached to the piano, and adjusted atany desired distance from the keyboard thereof. The opposite or free end of each bracket A is likewise slotted to embrace a thumb-screw, a, by which the lower rail, B, of the arm-guide is attached to the brackets, and adapted to be vertically adjusted thereon, accordingly as desired. Each end ofthelower rail, B, aboverefcrred to is provided with a casting, I), which is tenoned, as shown, to form aperfect joint with a corresponding tcnon of a casting, b, secured to each end of the upper rail, B, of the arm-guide.

In the tenon or projection of each casting Z) of the lower rail, B, is cut a rectangular slot, 0, through which into the casting b of the up per rail, B, passes a thumb-screw, d, adapting the two rails of the arm-guide to be adjusted to accommodate any thickness of wrist. The finger-guide consists, preferably, of a smooth fiat strip of wood, 0, secured at each end to a flat metal plate, D,which is provided with a long rectangular slot, 6, through which into the casting on the ends of the upper rail, B, passes a thumb-screw, f, by which the fin get-guide may be adjusted as required, and securely held in the position which it is given. By this slot and thumb-screw the finger-guide can be brought to a position vertically above the arm-guide, and the raising and lowering of the piano-lid accomplished without detaching either of said guides from the instrument. Another advantage of this means for adjusting the finger-guide is that the fingers are at all times compelled to assume a proper curve regardless of the key in which the music may be written. For instance, in executing a piece of music written in the key of G, (whose signa ture is one sharp,) only one black key is manipulated in each octave, and the guide is accordingly placed near the outer ends of the black keys. In the key of D (two sharps) it is movedalittle farther to the rear, and so on as the number of sharps or flats increase. It will thus be manifest to the profession and to all acquainted with the art that this device assists the performer in gainingaperfect. touch by giving a correct position for obtaining i11- dependent action to the fingers and wrist. It is adapted to be adjusted near or away from the key-board and on a level with the same, to accommodate any length of hand and fingers.

Both guides are brought into use simultaneously,and,combiued, can be attached to and detached from any piano or organ in a short time and without special skill.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. An arm and finger guide for pianos and organs, such guide havingits constituent parts adj ustably connected together, and likewise attached to the instrument by means of slots and thumb-screws, with which the several parts are provided, substantially as described.

2. An arm-guide for pianos and organs, consisting of two rails, arranged one above the other and adj ustably connected together, and likewise attached to and supported by a pair of brackets attached to the instrument, and adapted to be adjusted horizontally toward or away from the key-board by means of slots and thulnb-screws,with which the several parts are provided, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The eombination,with the arm-guide, as described, of a finger-guide adapted to be used simultaneously therewith, and consisting of a rail attached to the rails constituting the armguide, and adapted to be horizontally adjusted over the keyboard and to be swung vertically above the arm-guide by means of slots and thumb-screws, with which the several parts are provided, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination, with the brackets A A and the arm-guide, constructed, arranged, and attached to the piano or organ as described, of the finger-guide consisting of the strip 0 and plates D D, constructed, attached, and made adjustable upon the arnrguide, substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOS.

GIDDINGS. 

